Refrigerator



March '18, 1930. A. A. KUcHr-:R 1,751,209

REFRIGERATOR Filed July 10. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' ,4A/fume lTNESS S:INVENTOR ATTORNEY `the conduit shown in operating Patented Mar. 18,193()` UNITI-:Dl vs'rA'ri-:s

PA'IENT oFFIcE ANDREW A. KUCHER, OF CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OFPENNSYLVANIA REFRIGEBATOB Application filed July 10,

-My invention relates to refrigerating machines, particularly to smallcapacity machines of the compression type which are suitable forhousehold use, and it has for an object to provide apparatus of thecharacter designated which shall include a novel method and means forcondensing the refrigerant vapors and for dissipating the heat generatedby the Working parts. In addition thereto, it has for an objecttofprovide a structure .Which shall permit ready inspection of the'enclosed motor and to associate with the. inspection facilities animproved means for connecting thecmotor to a 'source of electricalenergy.

These and other objects, which will be made apparent throughoutthefurther description of the invention, may be attained by the employmentof the apparatus hereinafter described and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a vieW partly in section andpartly in elevation'of a compression refrigerator in which my inventionmay be practiced.; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of a modified form ofcondensing chamber; Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the condensingchamber showing a modified form of vapor discharge conduit; Fig. 4 is aplan in sec-- tion taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is anenlarged detail View of a portion of y Figs. 3 and 4; Fig. 6 is apartial elevation of still another form of vapor discharge conduit; Fig.7 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the device shown in' Fig. 1 forconnect-ing the motor to a source of electrical energy and Fig. 8isa'sectional levaion taken onthe line VIII-VIII ofCompression`refrigerators of the household type very frequently havetheir compression mechanism, consisting principally of a. motor and acompressor, ltightly encased in the condensing chamber tov preventescape of the Working uid. For this reason, some means for dissipatingthe heat generated by the motor and the compressor must be providedWhich will effectively maintain a desired temperature, without care andattention, or longperiods of time. In additlon, adequate means for thecondensation of i923. serial No. 650,668,

the refrigerant vapor discharged by the compressor must be provided.

In my apparatus, I provide very complete facilities for cooling theWorking parts of the apparatusl and for condensing the refrigerant vaporby circulating water in series'through a jacket surrounding thecondensing chamber, thence through a coil, and nally through a jacketsurrounding both the motor and the compressor. In its passage throughtheapparatus, additional heat 1s successively absorbed, and incidentallyvery effective condensation and adequate cooling effect is produced.Furthermore, conduction of heat from the motor and compressor to thecondensed refrigerant is substantially prevented. This is accomplishedwithout any material inf crease in the rate of water consumption.

In my apparatus, I also provide a portable plate in the lower portion ofthe condensing chamber, by the removal of which access may be had into achamber in which the motor is disposed, and which contains substantiallynd liquid refrigerant. Associated. therewith is an improved means forconnecting the otor to a source of electrical energy which lcomprises acontact and a receptacle which dis-engage when the portable plate isremoved and which re-engage upon the plate being replaced.

Referring to the drawings for a detailed description 'of my invention, Ishow a compression refrigerator of the type similar to that disclosed ina copending application serially numbered 509,672, liled October 22,1921, entitled Refrigeration machine, and in which my novel method ofoperation is carried out. It is to be understood that this invention mayrefrigeration machines, and that the apparatus illustrated andhereindescribed is employed by Way of example and as an aid in presenting aclear exposition of my invention.y As illustrated, 10 designates arefrigerator box. Mountedl thereon is a condensing chamber 11 comprisinga base 12 and a dome`13. Surrounding the dome 13 is a jacketla having aninlet'connection 15 and an outlet` connection -16 for the circulation ofa cooling medium. l Disposed Within the dome 13 is a be practiced inother types of 19 are Xedly engagement therewith axially.

motor 17 having a shaft 18 which is connected keys 19 to a rotor 21. Thekeys secured to the rotor 21 and roshaft 18 but are in slidable Acasting 22 forms a common casing for both the motor 17 and the rotor 21.Surrounding the casting 22 is a jacket 23 having an inlet connection 24by means of tatably engage the and an outlet connection 25 for thecirculation densing chamber f compression mechanism'and the motor. havefound that it is possible, under by means of a plurality of supporting Pstuds 33.

Fixed in the portable plate 28 is a receptacle 34 which, as shown to alarge scale 1n Figs. 7 and 8, includes provision for connectingthrough acable 35 to a source of electrical energy. Upon the portable plate 28being placed in position, the receptacle 34 en-l gages the contacts 36which are in turn connected to the windings of the motor by means of thecables 37. The contacts 36 are fixed in a bracket 38 which is composedof a suit- Y Vableinsulating material and which is rigidly secui'ed tothe casting 22 by means of the screws 39. The receptacle 34 is sodisposed 1n the portable 'plate 28 that, upon the same being placed inposition, the receptacle and the contacts register and a rigid andpositive means for .the transmission of electrical energy to the motoris provided.

Connected to the compression mechanism is a conduit 41 which is open atits 'lower end for thevdischarge ofv refrigerant vapor.

Disposed inthe upper portion of the concates at its res ective ends withthe outlet connectionA 16 om the jacket surrounding the condensingchamber and with the inlet connection 24 to the jacket surrounding thmild operatin conditions, to ehminate the coil .'42, and y loweringthelcvel of the liquid refrigerant within the condensing chamber, asshown in Fig. 2, to utilize only the cooling surface of the jacketsurrounding the condensin chamber to eifect condensation of the regerant vapor. The coil 42 is so dis-.

posed as to cause the relatively cool condensate dripping therefrom Atofall upon the end plate 26 andabsorb a portion of the heat generated bythe compression mech'amsm.

'means of conduits 43 and 44 to an evaporator:

The condensed refrigerant is conveyed by 45, which is disposed within abrine tank located within thefrefrigerator box 10.

43 is controlled by means of a reducing valve Ycompartment dischargesliquid refrigerant, and a cold i's a coil 42 which communi- 'heated inits passage through the therein. The gas .rises u maintaining a constantbody 'of liquid refrigerant within the condensing chamber. Theevaporator 45 comprises a circulating 49, into which the conduit 44storage compartment 51. Some congealable liquid, such as water, may beprovided in the compartment 51 and by alternate freezing and meltingduring operation andnon-operation ofthe apparatus, Amay serve as a meansofv cold storage and thereby increase the capacity of the refrigerationcycle. A plurality of drawers or molds 52 are disposed in the brine tank46 for the manufactureof ice for table or similar uses. Refrigerantvapor is conveyed from the circulating comartment'49 of the evaporatortothe inlet ofthe compression mechanism by a conduit 53.

vThe operation of the apparatus thus described is as follows: Thecondensing cham'- ber 1 1 and the circulating compartment 49 of theevaporator are filled to a level, such as indicated on the drawing, witha suitable re- .frigerant fluid. The brine1 tank 46 is filled 'withbrine andthe cold storage compartment.. v51 is filled with water to tlelevels indicated.

Water from some extraneous source is then conveyed through the inletconnection 15 t0 the jacket surrounding the condensing chamber. Itpasses through the outlet 16 to the condensing coil 42v and thencethrough the inlet 24 to the jacked surrounding the compressor and themotor. It circulates therethrough and is finally discharged throughvable portion ofthe heat generated thereby is absorbed, and' overheatingof the working parts is avoided. In addition thereto, as the operatingtemperature of the compressor and the motor is in excess of thetemparature of condensation of the refrigerant vapor, no increase in theamount of cooling water isrequired, as the water issuccessively Uponstarting the motor 17, the compres-v sion mechanism connected thereto bythe shaft 18 will discharge a refrigerant' vapor or gas through theconduit 41 into the lower portion of the condensing chamber, `or belowthe level of the liquid refrigerant contained wardly through therelatively cool liquid an along the cold walls ofthe dome 13, and ispartially condensed,

apparatus.

, stop the motor.

'ample pro ortions, heat absor j from. ex

' pass throu while final condensation is eiected by the coil 42., Therelatively cool condensate,

-1 dripping from the coil 42, falls downwardly plate 26 and, in flowingoverl upon the end the same, absorbs a portion of the heat generated bythe compression mechanism.

v pon suiiicient accumulation of liquid refrigerant in the lower portionof the condensin chamber, the float 48 will act to move the va ve 47 topermit the liquid to iiow through the conduits 43 and 44 to thecirculating compartment 49 of the evaporator. Cooling effect is thenproduced in normal manner by the vaporization of the liquid refrigerantcaused by the vacuum maintalned by the compression mechanism.' Heat isabsorbed from the cold storage compartment 51 and from the brine in thetank 46. The brine in turn absorbs heat from the interior of therelatively warm refrigerator box until the temperature therein isreduced an amount sufficient to cause an automatic device (not shown) toing liquid is provided therein, and the length ofthe inactive period ofthe apparatus is considerably prolonged. Dur- `ing the active lperiod ofthe machine, the vwater in the cold storage compartment 51 forms intoice and thereafter, during the i'n- -active period, absorbs the heat ofmelting. 'Ice' may be formed in the drawers 52 and removed for table orsimilar uses. Refrigerant vapor generated in the evaporator 45 isremoved to the compression mechanism through the conduit 53 and thecycle of operation may thenbe repeated. l

vShould continued operation of the apparatusnecessitate the renewal ofthe commu- -tator brushes 32, the bolts 29 may be removed and the plate28 lowered. The construction is such that the brushes are removed withthe plate and may be withdrawn through openingsprovided in the base 12.The means for conveying electrical current to' the motor h the plate 28as it is desirable to avoid the uid contaiiing portions of theapparatus.l` Simultaneously, with the lowering of the plate 28, theelectrical connection to th the motor is broken,

and upon replacement of the same,

the receptacle 34 registers with the contact 36 and the connection isremade. As the shaft 18 freely engages, in an axial direction, the rotor21 of the compression mechanism, should it be desired-to provide meansfor removing the armature of the motor,this may be accomplished in myapparatus by increasing the height of the base 12.r However, I do notconsider this/feature necessary, and I prefer to provide only suchaccessV means as may be required for the renewal of the commutatorbrushes. I have further found eriment that in order to insure a propernctioning of the float 48, which controls theinovement of the reducingvalve The brine tank 46, being of. a substantial amount of 47, it isadvisable to maintain the liquid refrigerant within the condensingchamber in a tranquil condition. This may be accomplished to someextent, as shown in Fig. 6 b closing the outlet end 60 of the vapordischarge conduit 41 and by providing a plurality of very small openings61 in the lower portion thereof. In this way, the stream of gasdischarged by the compression mechanisin is b roken up into a pluralityof relatively smaller streams, and the agitation of the liquidrefrigerant considerably reduced. Increased condensation and cooling o'fthe vapor in passing upwardly through the relatively colder liquid isalso effected.

l Agitatlon of the liquid refrigerant contained in the condensing`chamber may be s still more reduced by the construction shown in Figs.3, 4 and 5. As shown, the vapor discharge conduit 41 has an extendedportion 65 which is arranged in the lower portion of the condensingchamber and which is formed into almost a complete circle, as shown inFig. 4. This extended portion, as shown in Fig. 5, is provided with avery large number of extremely small holes 66, and has its discharge end67 .blanked 0E. In this manner, a very line and even distribution of therefrigrant vapor throughout the entire condensing chamber is effected.

While I haveB shown my invention in but several forms, it will beobvious to those skilled in the yart that it is not so limited, but issusceptible of various other changes and modifications without departingfrom the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only suchlimitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art oras are specifically set forth in the appended claims..

What I claim is:

1. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, acompressor, cooling means for condensing the refrigerant vapordischarged by the compressor,'a motor for driving the compressor, achamber enclosing thel compressor and the motor, a single jacket bothsurrounding the motor and e compressor and disposed in directheatexchanging relation therewith, and means for conveymga coolingmedium through said j a compressor, a motor for drivr motor casing', acondensing chamber surroundin the compressor and the motor and arrangeto receive refrigerant Huid discharged by the compressor, a jacket sur-5 rounding the condensing chamber, a heat exchanging device disposedWithin the condensing chamber, and means for conveying al cooling mediumthrough the jacket surrounding the compressor and the motor, the jacketsurrounding the condensing chamber and the heat exchanging device.

4. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, acondenser, a compressor having a rotor and a casing, a motor, and ashaft for transmitting torque from the motor to the rotor of thecompressor, said shaft being so arranged Within the rotor as to permitrelative longitudinal movement between the shaft and the rotor.

. 5. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, abase plate, a condensing chamber mounted on said plate, a

compressor and a motor disposed within the condensing chamber, a housingfor'tlie motor,

housing and located in said base plate.

6. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of an evaporator, abase plate, a dome mounted on the base plate and defining therewithacondensing chamber, -a compressor and a motor for driving 'thecompressor disposed. within the condensing chamber, a casing for themotor supported upon the base plate, and a removable plate provided in.the base plate for permitting access to the motor casing.

7 In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a refrigerator box,an evaporator disposed within the refrigerator box, a compressor,l amotor for driving the compressor, a fluid-tight casing enclosing boththe motor and the compressor, said casing being supported from therefrigerator box and in spaced relation thereto, and a removable coverforpermittin Aaccess to the interior of the casing provide in thatportion of the Acasing which is disposed adjacent to the refrigeratorbox".

8.A In a refrigerating apparatus,tlie com-- bination ofv an evaporator,a condenser, a compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a iiuidtight casing enclosing themotor and the compressor, a removable coverplate provided in the casing, cured `within the casing and connectedthrough wirin to the motor, and a second contact secure to the removablecover and adapted to engage the first contact when the cover is inposition,- said second contact bel electrical energy. 9: In arefrigerating apparatus; the combination of an evaporator,'a compressor,cooling means for condensing and access means associated with the motorYa contact fixedly se subscribed my name ing adapted to be connected to asource of for driving the compressor, a casing enclosing the compressorand the motor, a'housing for the motor carried by a wallof thecasing, aremovable access plate located a wall of the casing for permittingaccess to the motor housing, a contact ixedly secured in the motorhousing and connected by wiring to the motor, and a second contactlocated in the removable cover and adapted to engage the irst contactwhen the cover is in osition, said second contact being adapted to econnected to a source of electrical energy.-

10. In a refrigerating apparatus, bination of an evaporator, means thecom for. condensing refrigerant vapor, a compressor, a.

motor for driving the compressor, a casing enclosing the motor and thecompressor, and a removable cover provided in a wall of the casing andarranged to support a portion of the motor.

11. In a refrigerating apparatus, binaton of an evaporator, means thecomfor condensing refrigerant vapor, a compressor, a

motor for the casing, and a removable cover plate provided in a wall ofthe casing adjacent the motor housing for permitting removal andreplacement of the motor. j

driving the compressor, a casing enclosing the motor and the compressor,a' housing for the motor carried by a wall of 12. In a refrigeratingapparatus, the combination of an evaporator, means for condensingrefrigerant vapor, a compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, auidf tight casing enclosing the motor and the compressor, partitionmeansdividing the casing into a compartment for the' compressor and acompartment for the motor, and a removable, fluid-tight cover plateprovided in a wall of .the casing for permitting access to the motorcompartment.

13. v-In a refrigerating apparatus, the com bin'ation of evaporatingmeans, condensing means, a compressor having a movable element, va motorhaving a movable element, a fluid-tight casing enclosing both thecompressor and the motor, and shaft means disposed within the asing fortransmitting tor ue from the mototo the compressor, said sha vmeansbeing so arranged as to permit relative axial movement between themovable element of the motor and the movable element of the compressor.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto his 2nd day of July,

' ANDREW A. merma.'

, the refrigerant @5 vapor discharged by. the compressor, a motor

